Three finalists named for next Brookings Economic Development Director

The Brookings Economic Development Corporation announces the three finalists for their next executive director. Their current leader, Al Heuton is retiring at the end of this year.

The three finalists are:

Rich Naser. He served as President of the Zeal Center for Entrepreneurship in Sioux Falls for fifteen years, in addition to serving as President of the University of South Dakota Discovery District for five of those years. Most recently, he was Special Assistant to the President for the University of South Dakota.Naser graduated from SDSU with Bachelor of Arts degrees in Journalism and Political Science in 1991.

Andrew Sloss. His most recent position was Managing Director for Baker Tilly in Houston, Texas. He served as a Director & Practice Leader for Merit Advisors, Vice President for Thomas & Company, and was a Senior Manager for Location and Investment Services at Ernst & Young in addition to owning his own economic development consulting firm. Sloss is a 1998 graduate of SDSU with a Bachelor of Science degree in History. He earned his Master’s Degree in Leadership from Crown College in Minnesota and his Juris Doctor from William Mitchell College of Law in Minnesota.

Mark Vaux is CEO of the Mitchell Area Development Corporation/Mitchell Area Chamber of Commerce. His past experience includes serving as Executive Vice President for the Greater Fargo Moorhead Region Economic Development Corporation, Economic Development & Community Services Director for the City of West Fargo, and Senior Business Development Representative for S.D. Governor’s Office of Economic Development. Mark graduated from Norhtern State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in 1989.

The three finalists were chose by a search committee that was formed in April.

There will be virtual community forums with the three candidates.